Cody Hodgson for Zack Kassian.

The Vancouver Canucks traded Cody Hodgson and Alex Sulzer at the last second of the trade deadline on monday. This move sent a wave of suprise and anger throughout Vancouver Canucks fans. In return Vancouver got 21 year old 6'4" 230 LBS Zack Kassian and 24 year old defenceman Marc-Andre Gragnani.

Cody Hodgson didnt have much room to get more icetime and reach his full potential here because of captian Henrik Sedin and Ryan Kesler both locked up for years to come. So Mike Gillis took a chance on Zack Kassian who has yet to prove himself in the NHL. Some hockey analysis guys seem to think that Kassian has the possibility of being the Milan Lucic of the West and if the Canucks can manage to help Zassian develop into a player like that then this trade could be huge for Vancouver. Zassian could also add that much needed toughness and strength that is needed in a long playoff run. Marc-Andre Gragnani had 7 points in 7 playoff games with Buffalo last year so he can chip in offensivly when needed and he might be able to replace some of the points we lost from last season when Christian Ehrhoff decided to chase the money and leave Vancouver. Only time will tell however who won this trade. Buffalo might have picked up their future captian in Cody Hodgson.Cody will get and oppertunity to play on the first or second line in Buffalo and will get more ice time like he and his entourage wanted. The Canucks also picked up Samuel Pahlsson who will take Cody spot in the 3rd line center position and has won a Cup with Anahiem. He will add some grit and is a great shutdown player.

The Canucks and Buffalo met 6 days after the trade and all the players involved in the trade were on the ice for the game. With a shakey 5 minute start to the game Vancouver found themselves down 3-0 and had backup Cory Schneider replace Roberto Luongo. It seemed like the whole team forgot that the game had started. Vancouver was able to pull within 1 goal b4 a mental error by Booth lead to and EN goal by Buffalo. Buffalo may have won the game but so far it looks like the Vancouver Canucks have won the trade. Hodgson had 17 minutes of ice time with 0 goals 0 assists and 0 hits and was essentially a non-factor. Where as Kassian had 10 minuted if ice time 1 goal and 1 assist and 7 hits and was the games First star. The Vancouver Canucks are currently still 1st in the West and second in the NHL and with 16 games remaining are basically only playing for the presidents trophy and home ice advantage in the playoffs. The main teams they are battling with for the Presidents trophy are the NY Rangers, St Louis Blues, Detriot Red Wings, and with an outside shot the Nashville Predators and the Pittsburgh Penguins. The Canucks next game is tuesday VS. The Dallas Stars in Rogers Arena.